“That’s not a knife, that’s a knife,” might be the immortal line from Crocodile Dundee, but it was the rugged and beautiful landscape of Kakadu that captured the imagination of Americans – and then the rest of the world – after the film made its debut in the USA on 26 September 1986.
Crocodile Dundee opened on 879 screens in the USA and became the biggest-grossing film in Australia’s history. In America, it grossed US$174.8 million at the box office, and was only pipped by Top Gun as the most successful film in the USA in 1986.
It wasn’t the first time that Paul Hogan, who played the larrikin Mick Dundee, had promoted Australia on the international stage, with Tourism Australia’s ground-breaking “shrimp on the barbie” ads igniting interest.
But it was Crocodile Dundee’s larrikin narrative, combined with Kakadu’s dramatic landscape – an integral component of the film – that transformed and supercharged Australia’s fledgling tourism industry almost overnight.
Crocodile Dundee put Australia on the map for Americans, and many other international travellers. In 1980, Australia attracted 904,558 international visitors, including 113,964 Americans. By 1990 – after two Crocodile Dundee films had been released – inbound tourism had doubled to 2.14 million and 251,500 American visitors.
Insights from Tourism Australia’s Consumer Demand Project (June 2024) highlighted the influence of ‘setjetting’ in choice of holiday destinations, and Crocodile Dundee was spontaneously recalled as the top performing movie and/or TV show that is set in Australia, emphasising how the film had been a gamechanger for Australian tourism.
Not surprisingly, crocodiles became a central focus for tourists wanting to follow in Mick Dundee’s footsteps, with the Kakadu Crocodile Hotel developed by the local Gagudju people in the shape of a ‘ginga’, as the crocodile is known in the local language. The other major accommodation venue in Kakadu – Cooinda Lodge – enabled visitors to get close-up to massive saltwater crocodiles and other exotic wildlife through Yellow Water Cruises.
Commenting on the 40th anniversary, Chair of Kakadu Tourism, Lauren Ganley, said that Paul Hogan’s roguish, good-humoured character was the perfect complement to the Kakadu landscape.
“The film goes much deeper than some people might think, capturing the spirituality of the local Traditional Owners along with the region’s rich cultural significance,” said Ms Ganley.
“Crocodile Dundee introduced some of Australia’s most spectacular outback locations – such as the Gunlom waterfall and infinity rock pools and the Nourlangie and Ubirr rock art sites – to the world and created such a positive impression of the country that it helped transform Australian tourism to one of our most dynamic industries.
“The fact that these filming locations sit within a UNESCO World Heritage listed National Park means they are being preserved so that visitors from around the world can appreciate the unique destination.
“Operating in a remote destination like Kakadu comes with challenges, from air access and rising fuel costs to the impacts of natural disasters. Despite these challenges, the region continues to demonstrate its resilience, and we welcome recent government investment in road and Park infrastructure, which will make it easier for visitors to view Kakadu’s main attractions.
“We have just hosted with Tourism & Events Northern Territory a ‘mega’ media familiarisation visit showcasing the most famous Kakadu destinations featured in the film.
“The international and domestic travel writers were also able to talk with Delvene Delaney – wife of Crocodile Dundee writer and producer, John Cornell, and a star in her own right, who produced an Encore Cut of the film last year – and she was just as excited about revisiting Kakadu 40 years later.
“One of the most encouraging aspects of tourism development in Kakadu has been the growth of local Aboriginal businesses involved in tours, experiences, hospitality and accommodation.
“While the Kakadu landscape is a key attraction for visitors, the 65,000 years of Aboriginal heritage is increasingly a key driver of visitation.”
To help visitors explore the locations featured in the first two Crocodile Dundee films, Kakadu Tourism has produced a self-guided tour that is available via the website: https://kakadutourism.com/
